Cancer Insights Panels

Our Cancer Insights Panels are made up of people affected by cancer that bring their experience to the heart of our work in an accessible and informal way. Panel members represent people from all over the UK with a range of different backgrounds and lived experiences, including people who have/had cancer, carers, and loved ones. We’re continually working towards our goal of becoming a more inclusive charity and try to ensure panel members bring a range of interesting and unique perspectives which will help ensure we're hearing from a variety of voices.

Shaping and influencing

Panel members provide their lived experience expertise and insight during meetings where teams from Cancer Research UK come along to discuss projects or through online surveys, called consultations. By taking part in consultations at the early stages of projects, supporters can make sure their voices are heard as decisions are made. 

Panel member journey

During a two-year term, our panel members work closely with us so they may choose to get involved further. These could be opportunities such as speaking at staff events and helping us promote our invaluable network to ensure we’re getting more people affected by cancer involved in our work.

Joining a panel

A typical recruitment journey may include an online application form, online written task, or virtual interview, and then if successful welcome calls and/or an induction session with other new panel members as well as the Patient Involvement team. The time commitment for being part of our panels is an average of two years.

Research & Strategy Cancer Insight Panel

This panel covers a broad range of topics with an additional focus on research and strategy projects, but you don’t need any prior knowledge or expertise to join this panel. We typically recruit for this panel annually and we promote this in our Involvement Network newsletter.

Policy & Communications Cancer Insight Panel

This panel covers a broad range of topics with an additional focus on policy and communications projects, but you don’t need any prior knowledge or expertise to join this panel. We typically recruit for this panel annually and we promote this in our Involvement Network newsletter.

Online Cancer Insights Panel

This panel receives up to four consultations per month via email with 2-5 days to complete surveys on broad range of topics and projects across the charity. We typically recruit for this panel annually and we promote this in our Involvement Network newsletter.

Cancer Research UK for Children's & Young People’s Cancers’ Insights Panel

This panel is made up of people affected by cancer who are over 18, such as people who have/had cancer, parents and carers. They help ensure the work we do represents the needs of people affected by children's and young people’s cancer. We recruit to this panel on an ongoing basis.